Brad vs Ange: ‘Our kids must choose’
While their messy divorce battle continues behind closed courtroom doors, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s daughter Shiloh is fighting a new crisis of her own at home.
The 11-year-old is at loggerheads with eldest brother Maddox over their parents’ split, with both siblings at odds over where they want to live.
Sources tell New Idea Maddox is very supportive of his mother through the divorce and wants all six brothers and sisters to stay together in her care as part of the custody agreement.
And while Shiloh reportedly went along with the 16-year-old initially, she’s now had a change of heart – and wants to live with dad Brad.
‘Maddox has been talking to all the kids since the split and really believes they should stay together and stay with Ange,’ says a source.
‘It’s no surprise that he has very much been Team Mum throughout the break-up – after all, it was Maddox’s big fight on board the aeroplane with Brad that sparked Ange to file divorce papers.
‘And up until recently, Shiloh’s been happy to go along with Maddox’s wishes because she didn’t
HOUSE DIVIDED TORN BETWEEN FEUDING PARENTS, THE YOUNGSTERS TAKE SIDES...
want to cause more tension. But now she’s had a change of heart. ‘The truth is Shiloh really loves her mum, she loves both her parents. But right now, she wants to spend more time with her dad. She feels bad that he’s all alone, and would love to live with him for a while. ‘Maddox was really cool when Shiloh spoke to him. He is disappointed because he doesn’t want the brothers and sisters to be split apart, but he loves his sister and just wants her to be happy. Besides, it’s not like they’re never going to see each other again. ‘Maddox knows that all the kids have gone through a lot of upheaval in the past year. ‘He’s tried to take on the dad’s role in the family, but he knows he has to be understanding and allow Shiloh to make her own decisions.’ Sources tells New Idea that Pax is also ‘on the fence’ when it comes to his parents’ split, and is also considering living with Brad. ‘Pax and Maddox have had their ups and downs, competing for their mum’s attention,’ says the insider. ‘Also, Pax has been to therapy with Brad and remains close.
‘It’s a push to say he’s definitely pro-brad, though – Pax is still very close to his mother. He’s considering a move, but at this stage it’s unlikely.’
The tension among the kids comes as new reports claim Ange, 42, has walked away from reconciliation plans with Brad, 53. While the actor reportedly ‘isn’t giving up’ on one day reuniting with his estranged wife, Ange has closed the door on the idea.
So much so, insiders say, the mum-of-six is ‘ready to date again’ – but has vowed to only see men her children approve of.
‘Angelina is even getting to the point where she thinks she may be ready to start dating, although she’s being very passive about it and not actively looking for someone,’ the source told Hollywood Life.
‘For Angelina, the children come first, and anyone she dates will have to meet the approval of all six kids, and that’s no mean feat!
‘Angelina would like to believe that she will fall in love again one day, and meet her soulmate to grow old with.’
‘Shiloh really loves her mum, she loves both her parents. But right now, she wants her dad’